best sore neck

I like to assume that each day is going to be good, so I rarely will wake up, pull myself to the edge of the bed, stretch, and tell myself "wow, today's going to be a GREAT DAY!" I'm thinking that after today and what I went through, I'm going to start! 

Everyone knows having a sore neck is awful; but waking up with one out of nowhere is a special kind of torture. The kind you pull yourself to the edge of your bed, attempt to stretch, and tell yourself "wow, what was I doing last night? You're in for it today..."

Well this particular day, I knew exactly what I was doing last night to get myself into this kink-in-the-neck situation, and I couldn't have been happier! So my day started with the neck pain the second after I opened my eyes to get going- but I was still so on fire from the night before I THANKED GOD for that sore neck, and didn't have to trick or convince myself that it was going to be a good day. I woke up. God was for me. I didn't need anything else. 

Prior to last night/today, I was really hitting a wall when it came to feeling/being inspired for these posts. I write them for me as an outlet to work through things, but I pray that it also helps JUST ONE person along the way. The wall  was from a mix of overwhelm and decision fatigue, plus some burnout in other areas of my life, but I started to allow unnecessary pressure to be put on myself, and I bought into the lies of the enemy: "you better get a good post so someone might actually read this", "your posts don't matter, everyone has 'stuff'", and "if you want people to actually read this and make a change, you're gonna have to step it up and actually write something relatable". 

*ouch* the enemy knew just what seeds to sow, because THOSE seeds are the ones I fall for and will water, water, water until they're full on Red wood trees. I was still writing, but it felt 98% forced. I would have sparks going off in my head, but I wasn't always able to sit down right then and there to write! Or I wouldn't even be somewhere with the access to a pen and paper to write it down for later. I'd write what I could, at the last minute, just thankful to have stuck to the commitment of writing weekly. 

Then, something happened that was like a breath of fresh air. 

If you didn't know this already- I'm also a hair stylist and salon owner. It's always what I wanted to do from a young age, so I'm extremely blessed to be in a profession I can creatively share the Gospel and love people. Anyway- I had someone new hop into my chair. We'd spoken before at church, I had actually done some of her family's hair when I first opened the salon! But after crossing paths at our church, it was time we got connected. 

She shared with me parts of her journey, her goals and ambitions, struggles and obstacles she faces.... You know-- we covered all the key points during a hair appointment! We discovered we had a lot in common. The coolest part of having people sit in my chair is the only people I do are people I personally know from church- so we can be vulnerable and encouraging; while sharing our love for Jesus & good hair!  She said multiple times she trust me. (I can't tell you how much that means to your stylist when you trust them, by the way. so be sure to tell them!) It wasn't just her hair that she was trusting me with. She trusted me with her appearance, and that I would have her best interests at heart. 

That meant a LOT, because when you are in my chair- I DO NOT TAKE THAT EXPERIENCE LIGHTLY.

I want to do a good job on your hair because I have pride in what I do. I want you to feel good- and not in a vain way, but just feel 😊 good. I want you to feel seen and heard, and loved and valued by Jesus first, then people. I want to teach you ways to do your hair LESS and worry about your hair LESS so you can focus on being a LIGHT in a dark world. When you leave, I want to have poured everything I can into you, because I have a God who's well never runs dry-- I'll get a refill in no time. <3

ANYWAY- I love that I get to pour into my people. But the coolest part is that more often than not, my people pour into ME! They probably don't even realize it because God has shown me over the course of my career how to keep myself in the background (well try to, at least). But when they share things and show me such grace and kindness.... they just blow me away. 

That's what happened that day when my new guest-turned-friend came in. She left early afternoon, and I hung out at the salon a while longer. But that entire night I was feeling inspired. I was planning on waking up *ridiculously early* that next morning, so I opted to sleep on the couch to avoid waking up anyone else at that hour. I laid there, and my mind wouldn't turn off. I was so "on" from my time with her, that ideas paired with scripture and experiences were ROLLING through my mind. I laid there feeling like a volcano that was erupting from my soul. I texted myself the ideas and an explanation of where I was going with each one. I fell asleep with my phone in my hands, and my neck like the giraffe towards the top. 

So when I woke up at 3:30 to get my workout and Bible study in- and had the neck-ache-of-a-lifetime, instead of being bummed mY wHoLe DaY wAs ShOt, it was a physical reminder that God is good ALL THE TIME. Even in my pain, God is good. 

I had stopped relying on God to inspire me. I took it upon myself to create content, rather than letting the Holy Spirit do His thing and guide and lead me to what HE wanted me to write about. (2 Corinthians 3:5 Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency is from God,)

 And man, my soul felt GOOD returning to Him and humbling myself- yet again. (It's only July but I feel like I've done this 100 times already this year... anyone else?!)I felt SO GOOD, in fact, that the kink in my neck was worn like a badge of honor pinned to the FULL ARMOR OF GOD I was finally wearing again. 

What "kinks-in-YOUR-neck" are you experiencing? Are you living out an answer to prayer that maybe, in this moment, feels a little uncomfortable? But in fact, it's going to change the trajectory of your life BIG TIME? I would love to challenge you to look at the "kinks" in your life as an opportunity to be more aware of, or in tune with God moving in your life. Is He telling you to slow down, listen, and rest? Or is He telling you to move forward in faith; being obedient even if it scares you? 

You are the ONE He left the 99 for. Today IS a great day.